Business losses to fires raise concern

 MOROBE Governor Kelly Naru expressed serious concern over the growing number of businesses lost to fires in Lae recently.

His comment follows three more business buildings going up in flames in the city on Saturday.

The fire service was helpless.

“Lae is the industrial hub of the country and fast expanding with double-storey and high-rise buildings and many industrial factories,” he said.

He called on the government and the minister responsible for the PNG Fire Service to consider increasing and improving the capability of fire service in the city.

“The recent devastating fires and the inability of the PNG Fire Service in Lae to save Brian Bell Home Centre, G4S Security Solutions and Niugini Wholesale Drug need reassessment from the relevant authorities,” he said of the previous cases of fire.

“Yesterday (Saturday) it was Pelgens, which houses Datec in the downtown market area, and fire service needs to be seriously upgraded.” Naru said.

“I do not blame the brave firemen and women who risk their lives to save lives and properties but we cannot wait for more fires to take place and we need to do that right now to assess the capability of our fire services in Lae and to respond so that lives are protected and properties can be saved. 

“On the other hand, to have four to five fires in a short space of time sounds alarming and suggests either an arsonist is on the loose or something even more sinister is afoot.” 

“Only police and fire investigators can determine the cause of the fire and until that happens I am appealing to all business owners, home owners and the public to be alert and to be vigilant and guard against fire hazards.

“Despite being the industrial hub, Lae still has one fire station and three tenders and the nearest fire station is the Civil Aviation fire station at Nadzab about 45 minutes away.”